Another two Tory MPs have called for Boris Johnson to resign, bringing to 26 the number of backbenchers who have publicly declared they have lost confidence in the Prime Minister.
Former attorney general Jeremy Wright said events in Downing Street have caused “real and lasting damage” to the Government’s authority and that he has concluded “with regret” that Johnson should go.
Carshalton MP Elliot Coburn also confirmed his letter of no confidence has been handed in. In an email to constituents, he said that nothing in Met or Gray report convinced him to retract his letter which he handed in “some time ago”.
A total of 54 Tory MPs need to register letters of no confidence in the Prime Minister to trigger a leadership contest.
The move came as No 10 came under renewed pressure to reveal if Boris Johnson’s wife hosted a second lockdown party in the Downing Street flat.
The Prime Minister’s spokesman failed to deny a report that Carrie Johnson hosted a second party in the Downing Street flat, where she and her husband live, on the day of the Prime Minister’s 56th birthday.
Earlier in the day on June 19 2020, Johnson was present at an impromptu gathering in the Cabinet Room, which led to him being fined by the Metropolitan Police along with his wife and Chancellor Rishi Sunak.
The Sunday Times reported at the weekend that an unnamed aide claimed to have told Sue Gray’s investigation that they had messages showing Mrs Johnson met “several” male friends that evening, with the Prime Minister later heading up to the flat where they were gathered.
Asked about the report, a No 10 spokesman said senior civil servant Sue Gray had made clear in her terms of reference that she would look at other allegations where there were “credible” claims that rules had been breached.
The official said: “I have seen the same reporting that you have, but I think this is covered in the terms of reference in Sue Gray’s report, where she clearly said that any other gatherings that were credible, where she received credible allegations, would be looked into.
“Downing Street staff were given clear guidance to retain any relevant information and co-operate fully with the investigation.”
The aide, who has since reportedly written to the Cabinet Secretary about the messages, told Sue Gray’s team they did not want to forward the messages to them but were prepared to show investigators in person.
But the Cabinet Office said the informant had not been willing to provide the messages or to meet in person, so their email exchange was forwarded to the police once the Operation Hillman inquiry started.
The police did not investigate the alleged evening gathering in the flat and, by the time the aide offered to share the messages with Sue Gray, the Cabinet Office said the probe had been wrapped up.
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